View All Photos (15) Movie Info A clumsy criminal is put in a position where he not only has to save his own skin, but that of his girlfriend in this comedy with strong undercurrents of romance. Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt) is a low-level Mafia "mechanic" whose ineptitude is countered by frequent (but unpredictable) bursts of dumb luck. Jerry's girlfriend Samantha (Julia Roberts) wants him to get out of the business, and after his latest blunder lands capo Arnold Margolese (Gene Hackman) in jail, so does mid-level crime kingpin Bernie Nayman (Bob Balaban). But Bernie insists that Jerry do one last errand for the mob before they let him find employment elsewhere -- he has to go to Mexico and recover a rare and very valuable pistol, which is said to be cursed. While Samantha objects to Jerry taking the assignment, he isn't in much of a position to argue; Jerry heads south of the border, while Samantha, in a huff, sets out for Las Vegas. Once in Mexico, Jerry finds the pistol easily enough, but making his way back to the States proves to be an unexpected challenge.

Meanwhile, Jerry's superiors want insurance that he'll return with the goods, so they hire Leroy (James Gandolfini), a hitman, to kidnap Samantha and hold her hostage until Jerry comes back. However, Samantha and Leroy quickly strike up a friendship, and she soon learns the gunman has a sensitive side he doesn't show to the world -- along with a few other secrets. The Mexican marked the first screen pairing for mega-stars Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt -- though, given the film's narrative arc, they play only a handful of scenes together. The film was directed by Gore Verbinski, who won awards for his work in commercials before breaking through with the quirky family comedy Mouse Hunt. Rating: R (for violence and language) Genre: The Mexican (2001) - IMDb IMDb 17 January 2017 4:34 PM, UTC NEWS There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends.

Error A man tries to transport an ancient gun called The Mexican, believed to carry a curse, back across the border, while his girlfriend pressures him to give up his criminal ways. Director: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON TV a list of 25 titles created 27 Jun 2011 a list of 33 titles created 12 Nov 2011 a list of 31 titles created 28 Feb 2012 a list of 29 titles created 29 Jun 2013 a list of 36 titles created 11 May 2015 Search for " The Mexican " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. 3 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards » Videos Retiring CIA agent Nathan Muir recalls his training of Tom Bishop while working against agency politics to free him from his Chinese captors. Director: Tony Scott A police officer uncovers the real identity of his house-guest, an I.R.A. terrorist in hiding. Director: Alan J.

Pakula True story of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountain climber who became friends with the Dalai Lama at the time of China's takeover of Tibet. Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud Death, who takes the form of a young man, asks a media mogul to act as a guide to teach him about life on Earth and in the process he falls in love with his guide's daughter. Director: Martin Brest Epic tale of three brothers and their father living in the remote wilderness of 1900s USA and how their lives are affected by nature, history, war, love and betrayal. Director: Edward Zwick After a prank goes disastrously wrong, a group of boys are sent to a detention center where they are brutalized; over 10 years later, they get their chance for revenge. Director: Barry Levinson A Chicago weather man, separated from his wife and children, debates whether professional and personal success are mutually exclusive. Director: Gore Verbinski A vampire tells his epic life story: love, betrayal, loneliness, and hunger. Director: Neil Jordan A journalist duo go on a tour of serial killer murder sites with two companions, unaware that one of them is a serial killer himself.

Director: Dominic Sena Tragedy strikes a married couple on vacation in the Moroccan desert, touching off an interlocking story involving four different families. Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu Daniel Ocean recruits one more team member so he can pull off three major European heists in this sequel to Ocean's 11. Director: Steven Soderbergh An unemployed single mother becomes a legal assistant and almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city's water supply. Director: Steven Soderbergh Edit Storyline Jerry Welbach is given two ultimatums. His mob boss wants him to travel to Mexico to get a priceless antique pistol called "The Mexican" or he will suffer the consequences. The other ultimatum comes from his girlfriend Samantha, who wants him to end his association with the mob. Jerry figures that being alive, although in trouble with his girlfriend is the better alternative so he heads south of the border. Finding the pistol is easy but getting it home is a whole other matter. The pistol supposedly carries a curse - a curse Jerry is given every reason to believe, especially when Samantha is held hostage by the gay hit man Leroy to ensure the safe return of the pistol.

Written by ck love with the safety off Genres: Rated R for violence and language | See all certifications » Parents Guide: 2 March 2001 (USA) See more » Also Known As: $20,108,829 (USA) (2 March 2001) Gross: Did You Know? Trivia Second film in a trilogy of films starring James Gandolfini & Brad Pitt, which consists of True Romance (1994), The Mexican (2002), & Killing Them Softly (2010). See more » Goofs Leroy's body can be seen breathing after Jerry shoots him dead. See more » Quotes Samantha : Real emotion transcends language Jerry. You don't have to understand their words to feel their pain. At the very end of the credits, Samantha whispers "I love you, Jerry". See more » Connections A chaotic, messy but brilliant commentary on relationships 12 October 2004 | by paddyolguin (Los Angeles, California) – See all my reviews I'm genuinely surprised at the number of people who disliked this movie.

Perhaps because it was a bit disjointed, chaotic, uneven, unpredictable and even incoherent at times. And that's just why I loved it. It's life. Yes, it's the crazy, seedy, shady lives of these people (the main characters being Pitt's and Roberts' characters), but at least it's honest... and darned funny. I thought the self-deprecating jabs at how most Gringos view Mexico/Mexicans were priceless. Raul!! The grainy flashbacks had my sides splitting. People, this is a classic melodrama told in today's yucky, dirty, gritty, ugly times. A beautiful (if you look closely) story that doesn't take it self seriously at all. This is anything but formula Hollywood hype. It is a genius inside-joke that sandbagged most of the people hoping to come out and see a Pitt/Roberts version of Sleeping in Seattle or some similar chick-flick dreck. When is enough enough? Never. 63 of 81 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?

Yes The Mexican Movie Review & Film Summary (2001) | Roger Ebert Tweet "The Mexican" stars Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts and involves a quirky, offbeat relationship--but it's not between Brad and Julia, it's between Julia and James Gandolfini . I like it that way. Considering how badly Jerry and Samantha--the Brad and Julia characters--get along when they're together, a whole movie involving them would be a long, shrill slog. Gandolfini comes in from left field and provides a character with dimensions and surprises, bringing out the best in Roberts. Their dialogue scenes are the best reason to see the movie. Advertisement The setup: "The Mexican" of the title is a priceless handgun that a Mafioso named Margolese ( Gene Hackman ) desires above all else. Margolese is in prison for complicated reasons, and Jerry, who was sort of responsible, has been trying to work off his debt (and stay alive) by running errands for Margolese's lieutenant Nayman ( Bob Balaban ). But Jerry is unreliable because he's under the thumb of the demanding Samantha.

His excuse for blowing an important assignment: "When you told me to pick up the thing at the thing, well, Samantha, she wanted the car to pick up some things." Jerry gets one more chance: go to Mexico, meet a man in a bar, pick up the handgun and bring it back to the States. Samantha blows her top: Jerry promised to take her to Las Vegas. Jerry explains that if he does not do the errand, he will be killed. Samantha is unmoved and throws his clothes out the window. Jerry leaves for Mexico. Samantha says she will never speak to him again. She leaves for Vegas, and is kidnapped by Leroy, the Gandolfini character. That means Jerry and Samantha spend most of the movie apart, and that has drawn complaints from critics who would have preferred these two megastars share lots of screen time. But Roberts, curiously, hardly ever makes love stories involving people her age. Maybe she has so much wattage all by herself that pairing her with an equivalent dude would blow the fuses. Most of her movies involve older men ( Richard Gere in " Pretty Woman "), or unavailable men (Dr. Jekyll and Mr.

Hyde in " Mary Reilly "), or unacceptable men (" Runaway Bride "), or make her the heroine of stories with less significant men (" Erin Brockovich ," " Notting Hill "). She hardly ever goes knee to knee with a guy she's in love with. Here Gandolfini (from "The Sopranos") comes in as Leroy, a big bruiser who kidnaps her for reasons that start out simple and grow increasingly complicated as the plot unfolds. They're both talkers, and soon they're bathing each other in confessions and insights. She talks a lot about Jerry, who is guilty of "blame-shifting," etc., and he nods in sympathy and offers advice at least as sound as she could find in a women's magazine. Then, while they're sitting in a diner, he exchanges a look with a guy sitting at the counter, and she says, "You had a moment there. What was that about?" And then their psychobabble moves into sublime territory. Advertisement These scenes make the movie special. The screenplay, by J.H.

Wyman, could have easily been one of those dreary road stories where the guy and the girl head south together on a rendezvous with steamy love scenes and lots of bloody chases. Instead, this movie is about something. Not something terrifically profound, to be sure, but at least it prefers style and wit to tired old ideas. Wyman and the director, Gore Verbinski , intercut the story with various versions of the legend of "The Mexican." The movie goes to sepia tone as we learn why the handgun is so valued and legendary. None of these legends agree, which is part of the fun, and meanwhile, the real Mexicans in the movie run rings around Jerry, a character so brain-swoggled by Samantha that he can think of little else. There are lots of things I like in "The Mexican": Jerry's idiotic attempts to change English into Spanish by adding an "o" to the end of every word. And the way a supporting character keeps explaining "I'm just trying to do my portion." And the way Samantha zeroes in on Leroy and sees right through his defenses.

And the way the movie is amused by its plot, and keeps a wry distance from it, instead of breathlessly chasing it around the screen. Advertisement Pitt and Roberts are good, too--maybe better like this than if they were together. I don't see what purpose it serves to complain they don't have every scene together. Usually when $20 million stars are put into movies, we have to look at them every second so the producers can be sure they're getting their money's worth. "The Mexican" is more like a 1940s Warner Bros. picture where the stars get a breather while the supporting actors entertain us. If it had been a Pitt-Roberts two-hander, there wouldn't have been room for Gandolfini's wonderful character, and that would have been a shame.

Popular Blog Posts CNN.com - Entertainment - Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts' 'Mexican' vacation - February 27, 2001 Superstars team up for new movie Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts' 'Mexican' vacation Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt co-star in "The Mexican," which Pitt admiringly describes as "a loose, low-budget, down-and-dirty, hand-held film" From Sherri Sylvester CNN Showbiz Correspondent (CNN) -- There is no question that Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts are two of Hollywood's biggest stars. Between their Oscar nominations and their box office clout, they could probably name their project -- and their price. Then what are they doing in a shaggy-dog crime caper comedy budgeted at a relatively measly $8 million, directed by a former TV commercial director doing just his second film, with one location only reachable by a 1.5-mile tunnel? MESSAGE BOARD What are your favorite movies? Because it's a shaggy-dog, low-budget crime caper, said Pitt. He liked what director Gore Verbinski -- best known for the Budweiser frogs and the film "Mouse Hunt" -- wanted to do, and he signed on.

Verbinski wanted "a loose, low-budget, down-and-dirty, hand-held film without any control," Pitt said. "He was totally into the spirit of that and led the way." Gun for hire "The Mexican" stars Pitt as Jerry Welbach, a low-rank mob operative who's trying to go straight. He finds himself with two ultimatums: one from his boss, who wants him to obtain a rare pistol called "the Mexican" or suffer life-ending consequences; and one from his girlfriend Samantha (Roberts), who wants Jerry to leave the mob and commit to her. Pitt encouraged discussion about the relationship between the characters. "I'm not a big backstory gal, and he kept asking me what do you think about this, what do you think is the answer to this?" Roberts said Deciding he'd rather face Samantha's wrath than his boss', Jerry heads to Mexico to get the gun. Meanwhile, Samantha -- who's washed her hands of her former boyfriend -- is taken hostage by a hit man who's also looking for the pistol. Oh, and one other thing: the gun is supposed to carry a curse.

Roberts and Pitt have very different acting styles, but for "The Mexican," Roberts was willing to take some pointers -- at least in regards to creating a history for the couple. "I'm not a big backstory girl," she said. "But he kept asking, 'What do you think of this? What do you think is the answer to this?' ... almost to the point of harassment. I really had to think about it (and) ... it evolved into something quite interesting." Mexican nights "The Mexican" was a heck of a lot of fun to make, she added. An exhausting type of fun, but fun nonetheless. "I loved it," she said. "I didn't even sleep on this movie. I mean, it wasn't even about sleeping. It was about trying to do about 75 days' work in about 55 days." Doesn't sound like fun? Listen to Pitt. "We were in this place, Real de Catorce, at the top of this mountain range in an old defunct mining town out of time, and a really romantic place," he said. "People were great. (They'd) let us into their homes and we just set up camp ...

and began shooting." And the sunsets and moonrises were startlingly beautiful, added Roberts. When shooting was over for the day, the cast and crew sat around and played music. "We came up with many songs. So many, in fact, that we're starting a band (and) hitting the road," he joked. "There will be a VH-1 'Behind the Music' very soon." RELATED STORIES: Watch The Mexican Online | 2001 Movie | Yidio Watch The Mexican "Love with the safety off." Released in 2001 and directed by Gore Verbinski, The Mexican is an adventure comedy that tells the story of Jerry Walbach, played by Brad Pitt, who is torn between is work for the mob and his love for his girlfriend, Samantha, played by Julia Roberts. The conflict arises when Jerry's mob boss orders him to retrieve an antique Mexican pistol called "The Mexican." According to legend, the pistol was cursed when it was used in a suicide as a result of a love triangle. Jerry's girlfriend Samantha wants Jerry to end his work for the mafia. Jerry locates the gun in Mexico but encounters a number of setbacks in getting it back to the States.

At one point in the film, Samantha, who has broken up with Jerry prior to his leaving on this errand, is kidnapped by a homosexual hit man. The film also features Gene Hackman and James Gandolfini. The Mexican Reviews & Ratings - IMDb IMDb 100 out of 124 people found the following review useful: I had a very good time watching this movie from Tessenderlo, Belgium 22 November 2004 Personally I had a very good time watching this movie, but it seems like I'm one of the few. I don't know why, but the voters on this website always seem to hate comedies if they aren't from the hand of some cult-director. Does a movie always have to be a great drama or an exciting thriller? Not if you ask me, but I'm only one of many over here of course. It's true, the movie is a little chaotic from time to time. It isn't an overproduced Hollywood movie that takes itself too serious and that's exactly where its charm is in it for me. I loved to see Brad Pitt as the clumsy criminal who always is able to do something wrong.

The same for Julia Roberts as his hysterical girlfriend and James Gandolfini as the gay hit man who has kidnapped her. I know, it's not done to say that you liked to see Julia Roberts play a certain role and Brad Pitt can never be good as a comical actor... Well, perhaps it is time for some people to broaden their minds. Don't believe what everybody says, watch it for yourself and form your own opinion. I liked it and I give it an 8/10. Was the above review useful to you? 63 out of 81 people found the following review useful: A chaotic, messy but brilliant commentary on relationships from Los Angeles, California 12 October 2004 I'm genuinely surprised at the number of people who disliked this movie. Perhaps because it was a bit disjointed, chaotic, uneven, unpredictable and even incoherent at times. And that's just why I loved it. It's life. Yes, it's the crazy, seedy, shady lives of these people (the main characters being Pitt's and Roberts' characters), but at least it's honest... and darned funny.

I thought the self-deprecating jabs at how most Gringos view Mexico/Mexicans were priceless. Raul!! The grainy flashbacks had my sides splitting. People, this is a classic melodrama told in today's yucky, dirty, gritty, ugly times. A beautiful (if you look closely) story that doesn't take it self seriously at all. This is anything but formula Hollywood hype. It is a genius inside-joke that sandbagged most of the people hoping to come out and see a Pitt/Roberts version of Sleeping in Seattle or some similar chick-flick dreck. When is enough enough? Never. Was the above review useful to you? 39 out of 49 people found the following review useful: Black Comedy From Gore Verbinski from Salem, Oregon 6 March 2001 A couple working on the give-and-take aspects of their relationship, an exquisitely crafted antique pistol with something of a diverse history and some questions concerning who is working for whom, all figure prominently in `The Mexican,' a black comedy directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt.

Jerry Welbach (Pitt), a somewhat less than astute young fellow in thrall to a criminal currently incarcerated, is given a seemingly simply assignment: He is to go to Mexico, where he will rendezvous at a bar in a small town, at which time he will take possession of an invaluable hand-made pistol; he will then transport the item to the States and deliver it to his boss. But there's a problem; his girlfriend, Samantha (Roberts) expects to go to Las Vegas at the same time, and their plans were already made and set in stone. So what is a guy to do? After Sam throws him out of their apartment and Jerry tries to explain-- in a memorable scene with her on the second story balcony, he on the ground looking up-- that if he doesn't do this job they will, well, KILL him, it doesn't make any difference. After all, their trip to Vegas had already been planned, and he promised it would happen. Talk about a guy between a rock and a hard place. And it's only the beginning of a dark comedy of errors and circumstances that ultimately involves them with some double dealings and brings them into contact with a psychotic killer named Leroy (James Gandolfini).

Director Verbinski lends a nice touch to the movie, eliciting noteworthy performances from his actors and establishing early on his method of using specific landmarks-- a traffic signal and a cross-roads in the middle of nowhere, for example-- that give context and definition to what is happening, sometimes off-screen (as in the opening scene, when you only `hear' a traffic accident that becomes a pivotal part of the story). He avoids slapstick and plays up the natural, subtle humor that drives the film. The characters are well drawn and the dialogue is clever and witty (`You Forrest Gumped' your way through this...') and often very droll. And he maintains a pace and develops an atmosphere in which the unexpected can be expected that keeps it all moving along nicely and right on track. And there's a politically incorrect sensibility to the movie that is refreshing to see; in real life certain situations and cultures that are foreign to us are often viewed in stereotypical terms, so there is no reason to portray it otherwise in a film, especially when care has been taken to present it in an inoffensive manner, as it is here.

Taking on a decidedly unglamorous role, Roberts nevertheless creates a lively character with Sam, imbuing her with plenty of spunk and, of course, that trademark smile. It's not a part that calls for a lot of depth, but she makes Sam likable and fun to watch, and she makes her banter with Jerry and Leroy credible and engaging. Credit goes to Pitt, as well, for making the most of what is actually a leading man/character role; Jerry isn't the sharpest tool in the shed and he may be easily distracted, but-- like Sam-- he's not without some natural charm that makes him quite personable and interesting. And there is a chemistry between the two that makes their relationship believable, especially when the sparks are flying. Gandolfini, meanwhile, not to be outdone by his charismatic co-stars, makes an indelible mark as the sensitive, psychotic killer who turns out to be something of an enigma. The supporting cast includes Bob Balaban (Nalin), David Krumholtz (Beck), Luis Felipe Tovar (Luis) and Gene Hackman (Margolis).

A lively romp that takes some unexpected turns, `The Mexican' has a dark side, but manages to remain uplifting and thoroughly entertaining. There's a natural flow to the film and the laughs, generated by both the situations and the characters, are never forced but prompted, rather, by the spontaneity of it all. It's a movie that never pretends to be anything other than what it is, which is pure entertainment. It'll leave you with a smile on your face, some chuckles and some great lines to quote. And that, my friends, is the magic of the movies. I rate this one 8/10. Was the above review useful to you? 26 out of 36 people found the following review useful: A Surprising delight; good comic performances, romantic nuggets, good sense of adventure. *** (out of four) *** This review may contain spoilers *** THE MEXICAN / (2001) *** (out of four The title of Gore Verbinski's new romantic comedy adventure refers to the name of an extraordinarily valuable but cursed pistol possessed by a young man living in urban Mexico.

Brad Pitt stars as Jerry Welbach, an errand boy forced to work for a local mob boss (Bob Balanban) after accidentally causing a powerful kingpin named Margolis (Gene Hackman) to be sent to jail. His "last" job is to go to Mexico and retrieve "The Mexican" and its beholder. Jerry's spiteful girlfriend, Samantha (Julia Roberts), wants Jerry to keep his promise about traveling to Las Vegas with her, but she does not realize that he can either accomplish this task or be killed. Since Samantha is such an understanding lover, she packs her bags and heads to Vegas alone, dumping her "selfish" long time boyfriend. Unfortunately for her, she is in the middle of a complicated situation whether she likes it or not. While traveling to her destination, Samantha is almost killed by a hitman (Sherman Augustus), but saved by another cold-blooded killer named Leroy (James Gandolfini), who has been assigned to kidnap her just in case Jerry gets any deceptive ideas while on his journey. Once in Mexico, Jerry locates the person and the pistol, but things go terribly wrong when the man is accidentally killed and several locals steal his transportation.

Becoming suspicious, Jerry's accomplice, Ted (J.K. Simmons), is sent to find Jerry and declare the rising stakes at hand. Meanwhile, Samantha and Leroy become emotionally candid and share useful information of their past experiences involving love. While Leroy is a homosexual, he still lusts for romantic fulfillment, as the sentimental killer gives Samantha some advice of her own. "The Mexican" is not really a romantic comedy like many audiences will expect; it is a somewhat coarse, violent adventure with undertones dealing with forgiveness and the strength of love. Actually, the relationship between the characters of Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts is quite trite. Except for the third act, whenever on screen together, the two characters do nothing but bitterly argue and fight. The performances keep the romance alive; clearly Pitt and Roberts are the right choices for the parts. Brad Pitt progresses into a somewhat comedic role, and he often struggles with it. But I certainly thought his performance was funny. He gives his character the perfect amount of charm and sweetness. Julia Roberts is a little annoying but puts an effective edge in her character. We actually end up caring about both of their fates.

There are a lot of little things to like in "The Mexican" like the scenes in a Mexican bar, shuttered with a dark atmosphere and authentic cinematography by Dariusz Wolski; dim lights give the rooms a greenish tint, creating a realistic and believable mood for the scenes. The soundtrack furnishes the movie with a genuine zest. A lot of the dialogue is witty and smart, with scenes that are well-written, often funny, and keep our attention. The comedic elements keep the movie interesting and fresh. The film does an excellent job with informing us about the history of the pistol and the plot's complications are curiously intriguing. Leroy's homosexuality introduces relationship issues that give his character depth. Although often bloody and shockingly profane, "The Mexican" is not mean-spirited or nasty-but enlightening and whimsical. The film is directed by Gore Verbinski, who also provided us with fast-paced entertainment in the 1997 family comedy "MouseHunt." "The Mexican" is much different from that film, but still has the energy and stride to keep us engrossed. Although not what many people will expect, I found "The Mexican" to be a surprising delight.

Was the above review useful to you? 13 out of 16 people found the following review useful: Why am I the only one who liked it? from York, England 9 July 2001 Okay, I admit it. I'm a Julia fan. But before I saw this movie I'd heard so much about it being terrible that I had incredibly low expectations - so I guess I was going in to see it from a different angle to most people. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I actually saw 'Mouse Hunt' or whatever it's called once on TV, didn't think too much of it, and I was hoping that 'The Mexican' would be different. Luckily, it was. Brad Pitt gives a sweet performance as Jerry, the accident prone hero, but the best part of the movie is the chemistry between Julia Roberts as Sam and James Gandolfini as Leroy - an unlikely relationship between a kidnapper and a kidnappee (is that a word?). I'd advise people to see this movie with an open mind. If you expect miracles you'll probably be disappointed. But I actually did really like it. Oh, and it made me cry. Four times. How embarrassing is that?

Maybe I'm getting my period or something. Was the above review useful to you? 7 out of 8 people found the following review useful: Very entertaining! from Charlotte, NC 4 August 2001 Pitt and Roberts were a good match, and James Gandolfini really was the best part of this movie. A young man (Pitt) has to go to Mexico and retrieve an antique pistol for a mobster, much to the chagrin of his girlfriend (Roberts). Pitt encounters a lot of snags and hang ups trying to complete the task, and unknowingly, his girlfriend is being held as insurance until he finishes the job. Worth seeing! B+ Was the above review useful to you?

5 out of 5 people found the following review useful: Somewhere between cute romcom, gritty crime drama, road movie & dark comedy is "The Mexican" from New York City 5 October 2012 Take "All About Steve" (cute dysfunctional romcom), toss in "3 Days in the Valley" (gritty crime drama), a little bit of "Silver Streak" (roadcom) and a hint of "Deathtrap" or possibly "Fargo" (dark comedy), then whip them all mercilessly with an eggbeater until it's unrecognizable, bake at 425 degrees for 2 hrs 3 mins, and there you have "The Mexican". If you enjoyed all the films I mentioned above, you'll like this. It's polished, as any Hollywood flick with Brad Pitt & Julia Roberts would be, but it's quirky and odd enough to set itself apart from the others. The story is about a lovable loser (Brad Pitt) and his crazy therapy-inducing girlfriend (Julia Roberts) who end up trapped in a bloody battle to get a cursed gun known as "The Mexican". The plot has plenty of twists & turns to keep you entertained on the surface.

But the real story is about unlikely relationships: not just Brad & Julia's bipolar romance but also unlikely friendships & loyalties that spring up between kidnappers & kidnappees, assassins & victims, American profiteers & Mexican defenders... like a good Clint Eastwood movie ("The Unforgiven", "Gran Turino"), the point is that it's easy to apply labels, but how often do you get a good look at what's underneath? I mentioned that this is a dark comedy, and indeed there are about half a dozen killings. What makes it different from, say Pulp Fiction or Heathers, is that the film doesn't gloss over the deaths with comedic gags. That's where this film is unusual... It has a place for comedy, and it has a place for tragedy. It doesn't really mix the two. Thus you may find your emotions wrenched around a bit, and that may be disorienting to some viewers. But if you're ready for a wild ride (exactly what this movie claims to be), you'll love it. And it has a cool dog in it too. Other good movies in the same genre include "Mr. & Mrs.

Smith" (Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie), the hilarious "My Cousin Vinny" (Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei) and the classic "Foul Play" (Chevy Chase & Goldie Hawn). Was the above review useful to you? 9 out of 14 people found the following review useful: I liked it, but thats just me Author: krista-15 4 March 2001 I can see how some people wouldn't like the movie. It didn't have alot to say about the world. It didn't inspire you to go out and do great things. It wasn't even extremely funny. but I still liked it. I have become accustomed to Hollywood, and their mindless stupid little movies. At least this one had better cinematography. Perhaps it was a bit overcast, and although it might seem like the typical teenager flick actor would fit the part better, that would have turned the movie into just another money making teeny bopper disaster. But as it is the two biggest stars in HOllywood made this movie, and that alone made it a pretty interesting movie. I'm one of those people who like Julia Roberts.

I have heard many complaints about her as an actress, but she still tops my list of favorites. SO maybe I'm a bit biased towards the film, but i still thoroughly enjoyed it. Was the above review useful to you? 3 out of 3 people found the following review useful: Not as bad, as people say. from Bath, England 2 January 2002 Being quite a harsh critic myself, I was surprised to see how badly recieved this film was. Admittably the film tended to drag a little length and was missing something to make it a little more entertaining. But the film has some interesting characters, situations, and scenery to make this film highly watchable. Pitt and Roberts are good, but have put in much better performances elsewhere. And spend the majority of the film apart. I suspect the main criticisms of this film are mainly to do with high expectations: in having Pitt, Roberts and the Sopranos guy in. But in summary, an alright film - but nothing special. Was the above review useful to you?

6 out of 10 people found the following review useful: Excellent--pleasantly surprised from Marin, California 3 September 2001 I didn't expect much of this film and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Well written (despite what others here have said), well directed (except for the pace which got slow), well acted (both Roberts and Pitt were believable and very funny, and Gandolfini was funny and touching). The criticism of Pitt, Roberts and Gandolfini is especially perplexing, as they were all in top form. So why all the complaints? I don't get it. Yes, it was 10-15 minutes too long. Yes, it changed tone somewhat drastically near the end. But overall it was surprising, very funny, interesting to look at and fun. Was the above review useful to you? Page 1 of 35: Movie Review: ‘The Mexican’ – EW.com ActionAdventure, Comedy, Drama We gave it a C+ Gore Verbinski, who directed The Mexican, is a TV commercial auteur whose award-winning reel includes the first Budweiser talking frogs spot.

(Verbinski stretched as an artist in his feature directorial debut, reaching out to rodents in Mouse Hunt.) Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, on the other hand, who star in The Mexican, are top of the food chain — they’re BRAD & JULIA, prince and princess of Hollywood, brought together for the first time in a historic union of box office royalty. And here’s where worlds collide: Every now and then, when this picaresque caper loses its way, you can imagine Pitt and Roberts, each posed prettily on a lily pad, ribbitting BRAD. JULIA. BRAD. JULIA. You can envision them basking especially when the mournful flourishes of the soundtrack’s Mexican trumpets fall in a decrescendo of tinny cliches. And when the atmospheric scenes of dark-eyed kids waving sparklers blur from overuse. And when all the ancillary characters up to no particular good for no particular reason become wearisome. And when you can’t tell whether Verbinski is going for romance, comedy, or a Nike ad. BRAD. JULIA. BRAD. JULIA. He smiles. She smiles.

He squabbles charmingly with her. She scrabbles delightfully with him. In a flick of the tongue, they’ve pulled in more ticket buyers. Do they entertain? Yes, as movie stars can, costumed in eye-catching amber and umber and ruby-colored T-shirts, staging a ”scene” in which a pair of lovers ”fight” or ”flee bad guys.” Do they create characters worth caring about — i.e., does Pitt convince us that he really is a conflicted Mob bagman named Jerry, and that he really is in danger when he’s sent south of the border from Las Vegas to retrieve a valuable antique pistol called ”the Mexican,” and that Roberts, as his girlfriend, Samantha, really is so committed to better communication with her man that she drags him to group therapy, and that the intrinsically adorable duo are crazy in bickering love? Ribbit. This would-be-Peckinpah, wannabe-Tarantino, could-be-Gilliam story, with its contemporary, ironic dodges and feints, is, after all, made for a pair of stars with a quarter of the worldwide luster of BRAD & JULIA. Literally.

The nuts-and-bolts original script by J.H. Wyman was first envisioned for relative unknowns, who would have been free to play the fun, frenetic heck out of hellishly-in-over-their-heads Jerry and Sam. Even somewhat-knowns (Billy Crudup and Samantha Morton?) or better-knowns (Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock?) might have had a clearer shot than best-knowns at freeing Jerry and Sam from the ennui of the script’s larkiness and disposable irony: Bob Balaban plays a control-freak Mob heavy, Oz‘s J.K. Simmons a neurotic Mob sidekick — are there no more happy-go-lucky wiseguys left on screen? (There’s also a requisite deadpan Mexican car rental agent, pawnbroker, grandmother, and smart dog.) Alternatively, BRAD & JULIA might have made a perfectly okay, B-size product — but for the striking A-level performance of James Gandolfini as Leroy, a complex, anti-ironic hitman who kidnaps Samantha to further ensure the gun’s safe return.

(The pistol, by the way, has a tragic curse attached to it, not counting the curse of calling forth scenes of old-timey Mexican drama that seem to have been swept off the cutting-room floor of All the Pretty Horses.) It’s not the fault of The Sopranos‘ charismatic, beefy star that he’s an actor of such substance and quiet ardor as to make idle movie star ribbitting look frivolous. But from the moment he enters the story, in a wordless scene involving Samantha, a highway rest-stop toilet stall, and a gun, Leroy ups the ante — and ups our hopes for a story with true grit. (Samantha clearly responds to his gravitas.) Leroy is, hands down, the person we care about most, and when he’s not on screen, the tortilla flatness of The Mexican becomes even more frustrating. ”I’m here to regulate funkiness,” he explains to his hostage, but really, what Gandolfini demonstrates is how one powerful player can regulate the thermostat of an entire film.

Not only is the actor who currently rules pop culture as Tony Soprano able to step believably into a new character’s skin, but he’s also able to calm the leading lady’s itchy skin: In her scenes opposite Gandolfini, Roberts hops far from her lily pad, to a place that’s the closest to emotional truth we’re going to see from her Samantha, and the communication between hostage and hostage taker takes The Mexican, at least for a time, to an exciting place. (Albert Finney knew how to draw exciting work from Roberts in Erin Brockovich too; I see an award-winning future for her playing opposite tough guys.) Then it’s back to frogland again, and cute scenes with Pitt and a doggy. Croak. C+ [BOX] SCREEN IT! ARTISTIC REVIEW: THE MEXICAN "THE MEXICAN" (2001) (Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts) (R) If you've come from our parental review of this film and wish to return to it, simply click on your browser's BACK button. Otherwise, use the following link to read our complete Parental Review of this film.

QUICK TAKE: Comedy/Action: While a mob errand boy tries to retrieve an old and reportedly cursed Mexican pistol, his estranged girlfriend must deal with a hit man who's kidnapped her to ensure safe delivery of the gun. PLOT: Jerry Welbach (BRAD PITT) has had better days. Forced to work as an errand boy for the mob after accidentally causing kingpin Arnold Margolese to be sent to jail, Jerry has just been given an ultimatum by Bernie Nayman (BOB BALABAN). Either he travel to Mexico and retrieve a supposedly cursed pistol named "The Mexican" along its current owner, or be killed for screwing up his last assignment. He naturally chooses the former, but that doesn't sit well with his high-strung girlfriend, Samantha (JULIA ROBERTS), who's upset that his new job will prevent him from going to Las Vegas with her as he had promised. So, as Jerry heads off to Mexico in search of the pistol and Beck (DAVID KRUMHOLTZ), the young man in possession of it, Samantha packs her stuff and heads for Vegas.

On her way, however, not only does she run into one thug (SHERMAN AUGUSTUS) who tries to abduct her, but also another one, Leroy (JAMES GANDOLFINI), who shoots the first and then kidnaps her as insurance that Jerry won't try to do anything funny with the reportedly valuable pistol. Meanwhile, Jerry arrives in San Miguel and finds both Beck and the pistol, but things go terribly wrong from there as some locals steal both the gun and his rental car. From that point on, Jerry does what he can - eventually with help from Ted (J.K. SIMMONS), his associate - to locate and retrieve the pistol, all while Samantha begins to dig deep into Leroy's personal life, eventually revealing a sensitive person inside the otherwise seemingly cold-blooded killer. OUR TAKE: 6.5 out of 10 Like their celestial counterparts, Hollywood stars shine the brightest in their universe, drawing the gaze of most everyone within and outside the movie industry, all seemingly without much effort. Fans want their autographs or glimpses of them, the paparazzi want their photos, and magazines, TV shows and newspapers elbow their way through the masses to get their exclusive interviews, stories and photos.

The people with the greatest appetite for such stars, however, are filmmakers and those running the studios who will do most anything to get them to appear in their latest films. After all, while a star's presence doesn't necessarily insure success, it certainly gives any film in a crowded marketplace a better shot at selling more tickets and moving videos off the shelves. Not surprisingly, having two stars is better than one, and any number above that is pure gravy and/or nothing short of Heaven-sent occurrence or a soul-selling pact with the Devil. Accordingly, this week's release of "The Mexican" should have the odds going for it. That's because not only does it have James "Tony Soprano" Gandolfini from HBO's hit series, but it also sports the first pairing of mega-wattage stars Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts together in a film. Of course, "together" is a relative term as the two charismatic, attractive and talented celebrities spend most of the film apart from one another, save for some introductory and concluding moments.

In fact, not since "Sleepless in Seattle" kept stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan separated for much of its duration has a film deliberately conspired to avoid exactly what its potential audience wants to see, and that's the pairing and hopeful chemistry between its two stars. Although some viewers are apt to be disappointed by that fact and will wish they were afforded more of the old couple bickering routine that Roberts and Pitt put on display, the stars' separation/isolation doesn't necessarily derail the proceedings. Instead, director Gore Verbinski ("Mouse Hunt") and screenwriter J.H. Wyman ("Pale Saints," "Mr. Rice's Secret") have fashioned two distinct, but interrelated stories that obviously feed off the other, but nevertheless work rather well on their own. While the alternating story approach isn't as distracting or momentum killing as one might expect, the film's comedy and brutal action combo and tone might be the second big surprise for viewers. Much like Eddie Murphy's "48 Hours" caught some off guard with its mixture of mirth and lethal mayhem, this one will probably do the same.

Although such a combination could easily produce an uneven picture, the cast and crew manage to keep things moving along in a mostly light and quirky fashion despite the lethal and bloody violence that occasionally erupts. Much of that obviously stems from the charismatic presence of the film's stars who seem to be having a blast playing their parts. In yet another example of him downplaying his glamorous movie star aura, Pitt ("Snatch," "Fight Club") delivers an infectiously entertaining performance as a character who's best described in the film as someone who manages to Forrest Gump his way through whatever he encounters. As fun as it is watching Pitt do his bumbling but resourceful thing, the combination of Roberts ("Erin Brockovich," "Notting Hill") and Gandolfini ("Get Shorty," TV's "The Sopranos") together is what makes the film work by mixing comedy with heart. While the whole bit about her hostage character digging into his kidnapper's personal life is clearly nothing new, the way in which the two performers play that, their parts and off each other generates much of the film's best and most enjoyable and entertaining moments.

In fact, and although some of that credit obviously goes to Wyman's dialogue and Verbinski's directorial timing, such scenes and the overall film for that matter probably wouldn't work as well had "lesser" performers inhabited those three central parts. Without them, viewers would be more apt to tire of the plot that, while moderately fun and engaging, isn't quite as good or intriguing as it seems to think it is. With or without the stars' presence, the film does feel a bit long, even with a late in the game surprise, extended cameo appearance of yet another star. It also takes an unfortunate and somewhat unexpected turn toward the end that sucks a great deal of enjoyment and life - both literally and figuratively - from the proceedings, thus reducing some of the fun spirit that up to that point had run through it. Despite all of that and a few moments here and there that come off as contrived and/or sloppy from a logic standpoint, the film nonetheless manages to be a mostly entertaining production that's certainly easy to watch thanks to the presence of its three stars and their lively and fun performances.

Not perfect or great but better than much of the dreck that's currently playing in the movie houses, "The Mexican" rates as a 6.5 out of 10. Reviewed February 27, 2001 / Posted March 2, 2001 If You're Ready to Find Out Exactly What's in the Movies Your Kids are Watching, Click the Add to Cart button below and join the Screen It family for just $7.95/month or $47/year Julia Roberts — The Movie Database (TMDb) Report Biography Julia Fiona Roberts was born on October 28, 1967 in Atlanta Georgia. Her brother Eric Roberts, sister Lisa Roberts Gillan and niece Emma Roberts, are also actors. She became a Hollywood star after headlining the 1990's romantic comedy Pretty Woman, which grossed $464 million worldwide. After receiving Academy Award nominations for Steel Magnolias in 1990 and Pretty Woman in 1991, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2001 for her performance in Erin Brockovich.

Roberts made her first big screen appearance in the film Satisfaction, released on February 12, 1988. She had previously performed a small role opposite her brother, Eric, in Blood Red. Her first critical success with moviegoers was her performance in the independent film Mystic Pizza in 1988. The following year, she was featured in Steel Magnolias as a young bride with diabetes and got her first Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actress. Roberts became known to worldwide audiences when she co-starred with Richard Gere in Pretty Woman in 1990. The role also earned her a second Oscar nomination, this time as Best Actress. Her next box office success was the thriller Sleeping with the Enemy (1991). Also in 1991, She played Tinkerbell in Steven Spielberg's Hook and also played a nurse in the film Dying Young. This work was followed by a two-year hiatus, during which she made no films other than a cameo appearance in Robert Altman's The Player (1992). In 1993, she co-starred with Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief, based on the John Grisham novel.

In 1994, she starred in the comedy I Love Trouble and in the 1995 comedy-drama Something to Talk About. She then starred alongside Liam Neeson in the 1996 film Michael Collins. Robert’s next commercial and critical success was the film, My Best Friend's Wedding in 1997. She starred with Hugh Grant in the 1999 film Notting Hill. That same year, she also starred in Runaway Bride, her second film with Richard Gere. Also in 1999, she starred in the critically panned film Stepmom alongside Susan Sarandon. In 2001, Roberts received the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich. Later in 2001, she starred in the road gangster comedy The Mexican alongside her longtime friend Brad Pitt. She then starred in the romantic comedy America’s Sweethearts that same year. Roberts would team up with Erin Brockovich director Steven Soderbergh for three more films: Ocean's Eleven (2001), Full Frontal (2002), and Ocean's Twelve (2004).

In 2003, Roberts was paid an unprecedented $25 million for her role in the film, Mona Lisa Smile. The following year, she starred alongside Clive Owen, Natalie Portman and Jude Law in the critically acclaimed film Closer (2004), based on the 1997 award winning play by Patrick Marber. Roberts had two films released in 2006, The Ant Bully and Charlotte's Web. Both films were animated features for which she provided voice acting. Also in 2006, Roberts made her Broadway debut as Nan in a revival of Richard Greenberg's 1997 play Three Days of Rain opposite Bradley Cooper and Paul Rudd. Her next film was Charlie Wilson's War, with Tom Hanks (2007) and in 2008; she starred alongside Ryan Reynolds and Willem Dafoe in Fireflies in the Garden, which was released at the Berlin International Film Festival. In her next film, Roberts again starred with Clive Owen in the comedy-thriller Duplicity for which she received her seventh Golden Globe nomination.

In 2010, she appeared in the ensemble romantic comedy Valentine's Day, with Bradley Cooper, and starred in the film adaptation of Eat Pray Love. As of 2011, Roberts is set to star alongside Tom Hanks in comedy-drama Larry Crowne. In addition to acting, Roberts has brought to life some of the books from American Girl as films, serving as executive producer alongside her sister Lisa. Roberts had become one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, topping the Hollywood Reporter's annual "power list" of top-earning female stars from 2005 to 2006. As of 2010, Roberts's net worth was estimated to be $140 million. Roberts is married to cameraman Daniel Moder. Together they have three children.

Question: Who starred as Jerry opposite Julia Roberts in the 2001 film The Mexican
Answer: Brad Pitt